How to get your deposit back from a difficult landlord?

Most people have experience of renting home before they climb to the first rung of the property ladder. I had dealt with nearly ten landloads before we bought our first home recently and felt that getting deposit back is always a headache when my tenancy ends. Here, I would like to share my experience of what to do when your landloard try to withhold part or all of your deposit without an acceptable reason.

Although my experience was all in U.K. I hope that it could be useful for people in other country.

1. Have a written tenancy agreement. If your landlord doesn't provide one, prepare one yourself and get him/her sign it. It should clearly state on the agreement the amount of deposit and rent. Usually the amount of deposit is same as one month rent, try to make your landlord agree that you can terminate the tenancy by giving him one month notice, and the deposit will be kept as the last month's rent so that by giving one month notice you don't have to pay the last month's rent. This would save lots of trouble later if he agrees. Remember put it in writing if the landload agrees this term. If the landlord don't agree this and insist you to pay the last month's rent. You need state on the agreement that the deposit should be returned to the tenant when the tenancy ends.

2. Have an inventory when you moved into the property. The inventory lists any item of furniture or equipment the landlord has provided with the accommodation. If you didn't get an inventory at the start of your tenancy it can be difficult to prove that the landlord is keeping your deposit unfairly. If you spotted any damage on the furniture or equipment he provides, make a note on the inventory and get the landlord sign it.

3. Keep the rent book if you have one. Write the amount of payment, the date of payment, and get your landlord to sign on the rent book every time you pay the rent. Alternatively, keep receipts for all rent payments.

4. Keep receipts of all the utility bills e.g. water, electicity, gas, council tax. Sometimes landlords refuse to refund your money until they get proof that you have paid all the bills.

5. 14 days after you paid the deposit, ask your landlord if he has protected your deposit using a tenancy deposit scheme. If not, ask him to do so by writing. Again, date the letter and the receipt for recorded mail.

In England, from 6 April 2007, when you pay a tenancy deposit for an assured shorthold tenancy, the landlord or letting agent must protect your deposit through a Government-backed tenancy deposit scheme. After you've paid your deposit, the landlord must then protect your deposit using a tenancy deposit scheme. There are two types of scheme available: custodial scheme (the landlord pays the deposit to the scheme, which will keep it until the end of your tenancy) or insurance scheme (where the landlord or agent keeps the deposit but pays insurance premiums to the scheme. This means that the deposit is insured if there is any dispute, and the scheme will repay the tenant the agreed amount directly).

It is up to your landlord to decide what scheme to use. They must then provide certain information to you within 14 days of the day when you paid your deposit. If your landlord isn't protecting your deposit? You can apply to your local county court. The court can order the landlord or agent to either repay the deposit to you or protect it in a scheme. If your landlord or agent has not protected your deposit, they will be ordered to repay three times the amount of the deposit to you.

My last tenancy was like this. It was after April 2007. The landlord didn't protect the deposit and tried to keep all my deposit at the end of the tenancy. Once I threaten to take him into court, he agreed to return it to us.

6. Give a written notice one month before your removal date (if your agreement requires one month notice). You can also give him a ring to tell the notice, but do post a notice letter by recorded mail and keep a copy of the letter (dated) and the receipt of the recorded mail.

7. Before you leave the accommodation arrange for the landlord to inspect the property. Your landlord can check the contents of the accommodation against the inventory. It is strongly sugguested that you do a general cleaning to make the condition of the property acceptable, so that the landlord cannot find an excuse to keep part of your deposit for cleaning cost. If there is no damage and your rent is up to date your landlord should give you back your deposit. It's better to ask for cash or cheque rather than let him pay you later by bank transfer. Remember, money in your pocket is your money. You never know whether he might change his mind later to withhold your money even if he promised you to return it.

8. If you rented through a letting agent they may hold your deposit. If they refuse to return your deposit, or the company stops trading and disappears with your money, you should contact your landlord. Your landlord is responsible for returning your deposit even if you originally paid it to an agency.

9. Your landlord cannot keep your deposit because of general 'wear and tear' to the condition of the property. For example, if the carpet gets a bit worn out, it's probably wear and tear, but if you burn a hole in it, it's not. The amount of wear and tear it is normal to expect depends on the condition of the property when you moved in, and the length of time you lived there. If you think you may have problems take photos of the damage and get your landlord to sign at the back of the photo or getting a witness as early as possible in your tenancy.

10. Write to your landlord. If your landlord refuses to give you back your deposit, write and ask for it to be returned to you. Your letter should ask why your deposit is being kept and what costs are being taken out of your deposit. Give your landlord a deadline to reply (such as within one week). Keep a copy of the letter and post it by recorded mail (and also keep the receipt of the recorded mail) in case you need to refer to it later.

Your landlord may reply with a list of the deductions from your deposit rather than returning it. Look at these and see whether you agree with them. If you don't agree with some or all of the costs you will need to write again. If your landlord doesn't respond to your letter at all, write again once the deadline has passed.

Your second letter should say which costs you think are unreasonable and the reasons why you think the costs are unreasonable, and the amount of money you think should be returned to you. Give your landlord a deadline for a second reply. State that you will take him to small claims court if you don't get your deposit back by this date.

11. Taking your landlord to court. This is the last resort you can do to get your deposit back. I never went this far. Once you follow the above suggestions, it's unlikely that your landlord would make you go to this step unless he has a very strong nerve.

Now, if you don't get a reply or he still won't give you the money, you can take him to the small claims court. The court can order your landlord to give you back your deposit. You may not even have to go to a court hearing if your landlord pays before the hearing takes place. Taking court action to get your deposit back is quite straightforward.

The small claims court deals with disputes about deposits. The court procedure is meant to be simple enough for people to use without having a solicitor. You have to pay a certain amount of money to the court to start your claim. You will be able to claim this back from your landlord if you win. If you don't win you will lose the court fee.

Comments

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debra 6 years ago

i went and looked at this for rent,asked the property manger when would the house be ready.i told him i needed a place,had to be ready in 2 days because i didn"t want to renew my least could'nt pay rent in 2 places.he said if i gave him the first mo.rent he would work the deposit out with me.he said do you have the money right now,then he said you want a receipt dnt you?i said yes and im giong to get a money order.i came back with the money order ,filled it out he gave me a receipt and said he was going to take the for rent sign down because i gave him first mo rent.he said he have it ready and have least ready fri at 12noon.thurs i passed saw the for rent sign in front of the yard,i called him ask him was the house ready.he said its going to take 2 days before they finish the house,so he had another house for me to rent,that was going to take a mo to be ready to rent,he wouldn't give me my money or answer my calls,he had some lady name mrs.r call me and say i cnt get my money back,debra.

Elliott 6 years ago

My landlord does not protect any deposits, he is rude and aggressive to the tenants, he is always trying to make people pay the same rent twice, and evicts people without refunding them of their deposit money. We don't have the heating on in because the landlord keeps the boiler locked down. Recently the British Gas Technician posted a warning on that boiler clamming it is at risk, but the landlord just dumped the warning in the rubbish bin. I just contacted the council and action will be taken against this cowboy landlord at last.

coop 6 years ago

can someone who has not moved in the house yet and has made a deposit get there money back by the way this is for rent

kim 6 years ago

any number i can call on in the uk as my landlord is not paying my deposit bak

Toshiba 6 years ago

I lived in balch springs Texas, I recently had to bring my landord to court,due to him refusing to pay my deposit back to me. I went through the legal process to obtain my deposit of $1,195.He refused and we went to court,he altered the lease and lied in court and the judge found him in bad faith and is ordered to pay me three times the deposit plus $100 plus $180 in court fees.I left his property in excellent condition. I truly believe some landlords just wants to keep what is rightfully yours.I was glad i won my case against Mr. Ewah!

Ariel 6 years ago

I am having difficulties of getting deposit back form estate agent. They list out the fees that they want to charge us, check out fee £54, periodic fee £54 (I don't even know what that is), disposal sofa, chair and TV cabinet, (Chair and TV cabinet were there since we moved in. They advertised the flat with sofa but removed it after we paid deposit and was about to move in so we had to buy the sofa.), cleaning carpet and the whole flat £180. The whole flat was in average to poor condition. These stated in the inventory form. Unfortunately, I did not take any photos of the flat when we moved out or keep the flat advertisement. What proof do we need to win this case in the court?

End of Tenancy Cleaning London 7 years ago

Thanks for the useful tips. Hopefully less tenants will lose their deposits.

Tenant 7 years ago

I used to be a tenant, and when I left the house I paid 300AU $ for a professional exit cleaning company to clean the house.

Thinking that I would get all my bond back and not having to worry about the landlord complaining.

Just today, I received my bond papers with a deduction of 170 AU $. For a professional company to clean the house.

I think that the person who came up with the idea of vampires was surley influenced by Realestate Agents.

paula 7 years ago

as in reply to landlords comment i strongly disagree, i have been a tenant here since 2004. i moved into no carpets curtains not even clean house, i have fully carpeted it, even replaced kitchen have livied in a dump as my landlord refused to do anything so was easier to do it myself. i am leaving today and am owed 880pound i am not getting anywhere. not all tenants are the same.

horsewhisperin 7 years ago

I just moved in to a councilplace and they given me 2 weeks to move in. Since I supposed to give 2month noticed I know have problems getting my deposite back. Sofar I have to given permission for the letting agency to keep it. Send them a letter that i made a mistake with moving out date and moved out even much earlyer. How do I stand now???

tenant 8 years ago

if landlords would get off and do they're jobs the right way and st trying to take advantage of people we wouldn't have a prob.

june688 8 years ago

thanks for shares this with us.

elfear 8 years ago

You can't represent all landlords. There are quite a few 'difficult' landlords. We'd better prepared for any dispute which might happen later.

landlord 8 years ago

If tenants looked after the properties they would get their deposits back

Solicitor West Sussex 8 years ago

You definitely need to make sure you have the right documents. You need to have a copy of the contract and an inventory so there's no comeback from the other side. Most landlords are fine but there always some looking to profit from you by not giving back your deposit.

sophieqd 8 years ago

How to get your deposit back from a difficult landlord

Great information. I'll have to put some of your suggestions into practice.

nancydodds1 9 years agofrom Houston, Texas

Its not an easy way to get back deposites from landlords. But you provided good information and advice how we can get. From this hub they can get them back.

Author

Dalriada Books Ltd 9 years agofrom UK

Thanks for the information, Matt.

If the utility providers don't know the new address of the person, how can they chase the person?

MAtt 9 years ago

In the U.K. it is illegal to retain any of the deposit for fuel bills, such as electric and gas, having not been paid. This is a ploy by landlords and is used as they know that you will be chased for the outstanding fuel bills anyway, as they're attached to the person, not the property.

MrMarmalade 10 years agofrom Sydney

I have rented in Australia and New Zealand.

Today in Australia it is getting to difficult to rent, easily.

I am inclined to think it is a landlord's market. If you dont want it there is another five people behind you.

Still a very good hub.

thank you

Compu-Smart 10 years agofrom London UK

This advice is very useful as a lot of landlords will take deposits from people with the sole intention of never giving it to them back!!